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October 8, 2008
Ladbrokes, the popular British bookmaker, casino and online bingo operator first applied for a Norwegian gambling licence in 2004 but its application was refused. Ladbrokes then initiated legal proceedings against the country, claiming that it was in breach of European Commission directives, the Rome treaty and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) agreement.
The District Court in Oslo reached a verdict earlier this week that found Norwegian gambling law to be in full compliance with European obligations, and ruled that Ladbrokes is not permitted to offer gambling services in competition to the monopoly in Norway. Ladbrokes was ordered to pay legal costs of approximately 130,000 Eur.
Norwegian Culture Minister Tronde Giske said, "The verdict is an important victory for Norway as a welfare state and for the Norwegian gambling law."
"The verdict also sends an important message that supports the European tradition that each individual country has the most effective control of its own gambling market."
Ladbrokes said that they were disappointed by the verdict and would be thoroughly analysing the ruling before taking any further steps: "We will continue to challenge state owned monopolies, which in our view are detrimental to gamblers and to society."
Written by Charlene Grey for BingoStreet.com – the place to go for bingo online and the latest bingo promotions.
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